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Japanese Curtiss-Wright CW-21B Demon
This is a suggestion of captured Japanese-captured Curtiss-Wright CW-21B fighters, which were captured on Dutch Java after the surrender of the Netherlands. The Japanese captured two CW-21B aircraft, which were used until the end of the war.
History
After the surrender of the Dutch forces on the island of Java on March 12, 1942, the Japanese sent a special commission to the island to find Allied aircraft and technologies. A pair of Curtiss-Wright CW-21Bs were found at Andir airfield in Bandung, which had previously belonged to Vliegtuiggroep IV, Afdeling 2 (“Air Group IV, 2 Squadron”; 2-VLG IV), which had 24 aircraft of this type, but managed to evacuate only 7 (or fewer) CW-21B fighters. The Japanese commission quickly identified two CW-21B aircraft that were suitable for repair and subsequent testing. As Andir airfield was the main base for the 2-VLG IV, there were plenty of spare parts for the CW-21B fighters, so two fighters were quickly repaired. Then they were sent by air to Singapore, where the center for testing captured aircraft was located, where during tests it was discovered that the CW-21B was superior in many aspects to the Ki-43 fighters, but inferior to the A6M zero fighter.The CW-21B aircraft showed reliability during the tests, so after their completion it was decided to use them as liaison aircraft. One of these planes was sent to Japan, and the other served in the vicinity of Singapore, where it served almost until the end of the war. It is not entirely known why the CW-21B aircraft from Singapore was grounded, but after the surrender of Japan, the British found this aircraft in almost perfect condition. It is not entirely known what happened to the other captured CW-21B aircraft.
Photos of the Japanese CW-21B
Repaired CW-21B aircraft shortly before departure for Singapore^
The CW-21B aircraft during tests in Japan or Singapore^
CW-21B aircraft in 1945 Singapore^
Technical description
The Japanese Curtiss-Wright CW-21B is the same as the Dutch version. Both are different from the Chinese version that is in the game. I will try to present the differences between them here.
- The plane has wings, main landing gear that retract completely inwards, and a semi-rear wheel
- Hydraulically operated flaps are used
- Moved M1919 7.62mm machine guns from nose to wings
- Fuel tanks slightly increased
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 8.293 m
- Wingspan: 10.67 m
- Height: 2.49 m
- Wing area: 16.19 m2
- Empty weight: 1,534 kg
- Gross weight: 2,041 kg
- Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-1820-G5 Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 630 kW (850 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 507 km/h
- Cruise speed: 443 km/h
- Range: 1,010 km,
- Service ceiling: 10,500 m
- Time to Climb to: 4 min to 4000 m
- Rate of climb: 24,4 m/s
Armament
- 2 x Browning M2 fixed machine guns with caliber 12.7 mm in the nose (400 rounds)
- 2 x 7.62 mm Browning M1919 fixed machine guns in the flanks (960 rounds (?))
Summary
The Curtiss-Wright CW-21B is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. This aircraft is a great interceptor with similar characteristics to the Ki-43/44 and has an interesting history. This aircraft is ideal for a Premium fighter or events. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
カーチス・ライト CW-21 - Wikipedia
Curtiss-Wright CW-21 - Wikipedia
Captured CW-21
Curtiss CW-21 Demon | Secret Projects Forum
www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org - USAAF Resource Center - Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon
Уголок неба ¦ Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon
Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon : Curtiss
Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon: Photos, History, Specification
Curtiss Wright CW 21 - Destination’s Journey
Book sources
- 日本軍鹵獲機秘録 (Secret records of captured aircraft of the Japan army) page 68-69
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
